The decision was upheld by state regulators in the Indiana Court of Appeals Wednesday, March 19. The Citizens Action Coalition, the Sierra Club, Valley Watch filed a motion last fall to overturn the decision.

According to The Indianapolis Star, the groups had said ratepayers should not have to foot the bill for what they called “project mismanagement.” The power plant was originally supposed to cost $1.985 billion. State regulators took that into account and said that Duke will have to pay back some of the higher costs.

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission ruled that customers must share in the cost of the power plant because it is necessary to meet the future energy needs of Indiana.

Executive director of Citizens Action Coalition, Kerwin Olson criticized the court of appeals decision and said his group might appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court.